How many ways can 8 math analysis students be seated at a circular table it Trish and Luke refuse to sit next to each other?
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Let's say Trish goes first. He can take any of the 8 seats. Now let's place Luke. He cannot sit where Trish is sitting (ofcorse!) and not in the seats next to him (his left n right). So that leaves only 5 seats for him to choose from.
Now the remaining 6 can sit in any of the 6 seats. So the total possible ways to get seated are
8 x 5 x 6! = 28800
Now the remaining 6 can sit in any of the 6 seats. So the total possible ways to get seated are
8 x 5 x 6! = 28800
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8/2 = 4
thus there are 4 ways that they can be seated.
thus there are 4 ways that they can be seated.